WASHINGTON - The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW) has joined the Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) Educational & Scholastic Foundation's efforts to launch an industrial distribution curriculum for community colleges. The goal of the program, according to NAW, is to develop local pools of qualified potential employees and create affordable resources for employee development.

"Workforce issues are critical for all wholesaler-distributors, regardless of line of trade or size," said Ron Schreibman, NAW senior vice president of strategic development. "NAW is delighted to add its name to the roster of associations involved in addressing this issue for our members and the industry as a whole."

Students are already enrolled at Henry Ford Community College in Detroit and Metropolitan Community College in Omaha, Neb. The foundation is currently working with the newest pilot site, Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland, to finalize the curriculum, with the goal of having students enrolled in spring 2005.

The foundation board of trustees has set a goal for rolling out other programs in North America. Orlando, Fla., Philadelphia, Minneapolis, Toronto, and Vancouver have been targets for additional pilots in 2004.

Publication date: 04/26/2004